BT Chairman a victim of poor broadband coverage

BT Chairman Sir Michael Rake is among those living in rural areas who are unable to subscribe to broadband packages, it has been revealed.

According to City AM, the businessman's Hambledon Valley home in Hampshire is too far away from a telephone exchange for the provision of ADSL broadband.

However, the financial publication reported that Sir Michael is testing out a new "broadband-enabling technology" for the internet service provider that could help extend coverage to 'not spots' such as his.

A representative of the broadband provider, which is responsible for most of the UK's copper wire network, said that initial trials of the new technology had yielded positive results.

But the spokesperson added that the costs attached to the device could prohibit it from being deployed across the country.

"It appears that there are two paths open to those of you who are desperate to get broadband: get on to your local MP or just pop round to Sir Michaels house and ask to use his," the newspaper advised rural residents.

At the beginning of July, BT proposed that mobile phone users should be required to pay the government's new £6 broadband tax if mobile broadband network operators are to be given access to funds for the installation of next-generation services.

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